CHICAGO — Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from Wintrust Arena on Sunday night after a courtside confrontation with Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud during the team's game against the Indiana Fever.
The incident unfolded late in the third quarter, after Cloud scored with 1:22 remaining and the Fever called a timeout. Cloud turned toward Kanter Freedom, who was seated along the baseline, and began yelling and pointing in his direction, according to Associated Press reporting.
Kanter Freedom stood, held out his arms and took a step onto the court as security personnel and several Sky players moved between the two. He was then escorted from the court area and eventually out of Wintrust Arena.
Kanter Freedom was wearing a black shirt that read, "WOMAN noun. adult human female." He has been publicly criticizing the possible inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports and recently said he intends to declare himself eligible for the 2027 WNBA Draft as part of that protest.
As he was being removed, Kanter Freedom stopped near the basket and displayed his shirt toward the crowd. Front Office Sports reported that much of the crowd booed him as he left the arena.
Kanter Freedom later characterized the incident differently on social media, writing that he had been kicked out of the game "for supporting WOMEN." His claim was his own characterization of the removal; video and multiple reports show the ejection followed the confrontation with Cloud and his movement toward the court.
Cloud did not speak with reporters after the game, but Chicago coach Tyler Marsh strongly backed his guard during his postgame press conference.
Marsh said Cloud was concerned that the episode had become a distraction for the team.
"I told her she wasn't," Marsh said. "I told her that we all embrace her as someone that protects our team and protects people that need to be protected."
Marsh added that "we stand for Tash" and said he was proud of the way Sky players support one another.
Asked whether he had a message for Kanter Freedom or others who shared his views, Marsh pointed back toward the game itself.
"If you come to a game, you should probably come to enjoy the basketball," Marsh said, adding that the league's players "deserve that and have earned that."
Sky forward Azurá Stevens offered a shorter assessment.
"There was just a fan incident," Stevens said. "The security handled it, and we're gonna just focus on the game."
The confrontation comes amid a broader debate surrounding transgender participation in women's sports and the WNBA.
Kanter Freedom has been an outspoken critic of transgender women competing in women's athletics. He and former NBA player Royce White recently declared their intention to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while saying they identify as women, a move they have portrayed as a challenge to league policies.
There are currently no transgender players seeking to enter the WNBA, according to reporting on the controversy.
Cloud has publicly voiced support for transgender people. After Sunday's incident, she posted a message saying transgender people belong in her community and would be protected by her, according to Field Level Media.
The confrontation came during Sunday's Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky game at Wintrust Arena. Indiana went on to beat Chicago 113-90, eliminating the Sky from playoff contention.
Fever star Caitlin Clark said afterward that she did not see the confrontation because Indiana players were discussing their next play during the timeout.
"I didn't see it, we were talking about the next play in our huddle," Clark said.
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